Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP

Davis Polk & Wardwell LLP remains a market leader in executive compensation and employee benefits, advising top-tier financial institutions, public companies, and private equity firms on the full spectrum of transactional matters. The team is regularly engaged in high-profile M&A, IPOs, de-SPAC transactions, and restructurings, with expertise in structuring equity-based incentives, golden parachutes, and Section 280G compliance. Recently, the firm advised ExxonMobil on executive compensation aspects of its $59.5bn acquisition of Pioneer Natural Resources and Novo Nordisk on its $11bn acquisition of Catalent’s fill-finish sites. The firm also provides critical guidance on SEC, IRS, and DOL regulatory matters affecting compensation structures. Jennifer Conway leads the team, offering deep expertise in governance matters and shareholder activism, while Travis Triano, Adam Kaminsky,  Kyoko Takahashi Lin, and Veronica Wissel  are key figures handling company disclosure, incentive plan structuring, private equity matters, and ERISA-related issues.